Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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TL Notes:
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The chapter is getting longer lately. Maybe I will split it into two parts if it still gets longer.

Chapter 297


　At first, it was just a problem between him and us.
　But then this man named Lignus tried to get everyone involved and win them over.
　Everyone was frowning at his selfish and arrogant actions, which were failing, but I also noticed that things were getting worse.
　There's no turning back now.
　He had turned what should have been a small problem into a big problem that could not be undone.

"Hmm? How about it? If you want to withdraw, why don't you accept my challenge?"

　Lignus provokes me as I stop moving.
　While suppressing the anger inside me, I spoke to Koga.

"Koga"
"Yeah, I know. I'm not going to let this provocation——"
"I'll do it."
"Well, why...?"

　Koga was surprised by my words and turned towards me.

"It would be best to back off here. What's the point of taking up the bait?"
"If you, a demon, react now, it will be just what they want. If you back down now, or take up the bait, nothing good will come of it."

　If we were to back down quietly at this point, it would give the impression that it is okay to talk to demons with such an attitude.
　On the other hand, if Koga were to respond to the provocation, it would leave a bad impression on the demons.
　I don't know if his provocation was calculated, but... it seems like he's taking advantage of the demons' difficult position.

"So, I'll handle this in your place. If I go, it will just be a mock battle between two normal humans."
"...No, I think that would be too reckless."

　You won't know until you try.
　Besides, he's a bad guy who does unthinking things in a place like this.
　It was more likely that I would be accepted.
　Thinking that, I turned back to Lignus.

"I'll be your training partner."
"You're human, aren't you? I'd like to fight a demon."

　Come to think of it, the king on that side won't stop him?
　I casually turned my gaze towards the King in the audience, who was staring down at me with a blank look on his face.
　When I turn to the Demon King, he is looking at me while sitting gracefully.
　...Isn't that Demon King enjoying this situation...?

"Why are you doing this?"
"I happened to come across these rare creatures called demons, and became interested in them... Ah, after that, I simply found the pseudo-humans annoying."
"...They didn't approach you voluntarily."
"It's all the same once they're in your line of sight, isn't it? Either way, subhumans are an eyesore when they are different from humans."
"..."

　Take a small, deep breath.
　I know that there are all kinds of people in the world.

"If discrimination against demi-humans is common sense in your country, then please keep it within your own country. It shouldn't concern us, who belong to a different country."
"...I don't like it. Fine. Then I'll deal with you first."

　It is we who don't like it.
　It was you who started arguing with your childish reasoning.
　I swallowed down the words that were about to come out of my throat.
　For the time being, he agreed to the mock battle.

"Take up your weapons."

　As I moved towards the battlefield, Lignus frowned and said this when he saw that I was barehanded.
　I show him my gauntlet.

"...It's not necessary. I have a gauntlet."
"No, take it. Otherwise, it will seem like I'm bullying the weak."

　He doesn't know me?
　Well, that can't be helped, but...

"That guy's good, he's trying to weaken Usato by forcing him to take his weapon."
"No no, I think he's pushing himself further. He can't go easy on him with a weapon."
"...Indeed"

　Ferrum and Nea, who were peering down from the railing of the auditorium, said whatever they wanted in a voice I could hear.
　It's true that I'm not used to using weapons, but I had an idea.

"...Ferrum!"
"Hmm? Ah, that's what you mean. I get it."

　Ferrum throws dark magic from her palm.
　It attaches itself to my left hand, covering my fingertips and forearm before transforming into a hard gauntlet.
　With a single swing of my arm, the gauntlet transformed into a black sword and I gripped it tightly.

"This is my weapon. The power of the demons you desire."
"... Hmph, that's fine. ...Using a strange technique."

　Is he only capable of uttering insults?
　I don't know what position he holds, but he is an incredibly rude person.

"Good grief, I really don't understand. Why are you trying to protect the demons?"

　Facing me, Lignus didn't start the mock battle, but instead began making something resembling an excited speech.

"It would be better if filthy earth-clinging pests like demons were wiped out."
"..."
"The power they have is not so great that they won't accept a challenge from me, anyway. They are nothing more than scum, no match for us humans."

　Is he trying to provoke me?
　It certainly pisses me off, but I have no intention of taking his delusional words head on, as he's never even fought a demon army before———,

"The Kingdom of Lingle has gone too far with its delusions. It's completely pointless to send so many soldiers to those people."
"...!"

　Ignoring my wide-eyed eyes, he continued speaking as if intoxicated with himself.

"Well, it was a wasted death."

　....

"That was a long introduction. Now, let's get started!"

　The moment he holds up the spear in his hand, I activate the magic power circulation with all my might.
　I simultaneously accelerate the elasticity grant and the outburst of magic power, instantly approaching in front of Lignus and I swung my hand down from above, shattering the spear he was holding.

"...Eh?"
"...It has started?"
"Haha."

　As I admonished him in front of him, Lignus stepped back with a twisted smile on his face for some reason.

"You seem to be confident in your speed, but don't think that's enough to fight me on equal terms...!"

　I accelerate once more and approach in front of him, I press the hilt of the sword with my palm to prevent him from pulling it out of its scabbard.

"...!"
"What's wrong?"

　If the sword doesn't work, he tries to move his right arm with magic, but I press his shoulder with my left hand and don't let him shoot magic.

"Is it over?"
"D-Don't mess with me!"
"I'm not letting you step back."

　I lightly stamp his foot and even prevent his attempts to jump backward.
　A technique that relies on reflexes, reacting to all attacks and movements with sight and stopping them at the last moment.
　This is a fighting style that would never work on an opponent of comparable skill, but...the fact that it worked on him probably means that's what it means.

"...That's enough."

　I stop interrupting his movements and give him a light push on his right shoulder to make him move back.
　It would be a waste of time to drag this out any longer.

"Don't underestimate me!"

　As he stepped back, he unleashed a bolt of electricity from his palm.
　It was a poor one compared to the senpai's lightning attack, so I knocked it down to the ground with my right hand.

"M-My magic... who are you...?"
"I'm a healing magician from the Kingdom of Lingle."
"Don't kidding me!"

　In anger, Lignus draws the sword at his waist.
　The unsheathed sword caused a stir all around, but even seeing it, I didn't see it as a threat at all.

"Go to hell!!"

　After confirming that Lignus is approaching to slash at me, I transfer the dark magic to my right arm.
　The dark magic took the form of a covering over the silver gauntlet.
　I pointed the tip of my fist at Lignus, who was about to slash at me —— and unleashed it.

"———Black Arm - Healing Flying Fist"

　The dark magic in the form of a hand-formed sword, ejected by the outburst of magical power named Darkness Healing Flying Fist, pierced the abdomen of Lignus, who was approaching at a distance of about five meters, and blew his body far back.

"Gaah...?!"

　Unable to even react, he was hit squarely in the abdomen, and he was just crawling on the ground with an expression of anguish on his face.
　Even so, he looked like he was trying to get up, but he couldn't because the dark magic that had been applied to his entire body was released at the same time as the direct hit.

"I did go easy on you."

　Otherwise, he would have been knocked unconscious right after I broke his spear.
　I tried to keep our position, and at the very least, his dignity, but this was as far as I could go.

"Y-You coward...!"
"...?"
"This is a surprise attack!"

　As far as this is concerned, I haven't done anything wrong.
　Looking down at Lignus coldly, I slowly speak to him as he collapses to the ground, unable to comprehend the situation.

"I only moved after you gave the starting signal... Besides, this isn’t an official match or contest to begin with, so there’s nothing cowardly about it."

　He calls me a coward, but he had already given the signal to begin.
　I simply moved and attacked as soon as he finished saying it.

"If you can't react to an attack like this, you'll never stand a chance against him."
"...Y-You bast*rd...!"
"This is the end."

　I lightly wave my index finger and manipulate the dark magic.
　The dark magic wrapped around his body returns to my hand.

"Koga, let's go back upstairs for now."
"Yeah... Oh well. Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. I was angry too."

　Good grief, it was a completely pointless fight.
　How dare he say he's going to fight Koga after this?
　As I thought this, I heard a sound coming from behind me.

"...Usato."
"I know. ...Haa."

　I turned around and pointed my palm towards the electric shock approaching from behind.

"———Hmph!!"

　I instantly activated a Healing Blast Wave from my palm, blasting away the electric shock that was approaching before my eyes.
　In an instant, the electric shock was erased, and the particles of healing magic that soared up by the shockwave landed on the destination, where Lignus, who had probably released the electric shock, was looking at me with incredulous eyes.

"...!"
"Agh?!"

　Extending the dark magic that I had made into the shape of a gauntlet, I grabbed Lignus by his collar, pulled him with all my might, and slammed him to the ground.
　Even though he coughed lightly from the impact on his back, he didn't stop his arrogant attitude.

"Ugh, let go! Oi, what are you doing?! Stop him!"
"..."

　While being held down on the ground, Lignus is desperately trying to break the restraints on my left hand.
　The surrounding people whom he asked for help all turned their cold gazes toward Lignus in unison.
　It seems that the two surprise attacks had indeed made the worst impression on him.

"It seems like there's no point in saying anything to you now."

　I put all my strength into my right fist and raise it high.

"Oi, wait, Usato! That's not———"

　I swung my fist down before Koga could stop me.
　The fist slammed right next to Lignus' face, sinking deep into the ground and carving a web-like fissure.

"Wh...Wh..."
"Once again, I will fight you with all my might. But prepare yourself. I will not go easy on you anymore."

　He said that the people of the Lingle Kingdom who lost their lives in that battle died in vain.
　Still, I tried to endure the pent up emotion, but I couldn't anymore.

"———Ferrum, Nea."

　I held up a hand that I pulled out and called out their names.
　Within seconds, Ferrum jumped down from the audience and merged with me, and Nea landed on my shoulder.

"A devil? Or a chimera? Either way is fine with me."
"Well, I hope I don't overdo it. You seem pretty level-headed."

　The people around me seemed to be disturbed by the black, flame-like pattern that appeared on the group's uniform in an instant, but even if I exposed some of my cards here, there was no dangerous option to leave this guy alone.
　This is the dangerous guy who attacked Koga and me without hesitation in the first place.
　There was a possibility that this would be directed at other demi-humans, the elves related to Frana-san, or Hayate-san.
　Then, here———,

"That's enough, Usato. I understand how you feel, but you shouldn't take action."
"...?"

　Before I knew it, someone had approached me and put their hand on my shoulder.
　His arms were muscular and as thick as logs.
　I heard a familiar voice and wondered who it was, then looked at his face in surprise.

"...!? Hyde-san!?"
"Ouyo. We meet again at a difficult time, Usato."

　A tall, large man with short-cropped red hair.
　He is Hyde-san, Chief Warrior of the Nirvarna Kingdom.
　Surprised that he was here, I released Lignus from my hold on him by the collar and released the assimilation.

"You too, no more of this."
"Kuh, who are you...?!"

　Lignus gasped as he looked up at Hyde-san, who was nearly two meters tall.
　Hyde-san looks down at him in dismay and continues to speak.

"I didn't help you."
"Wh-What...?!"

　Hyde-san's big fist slammed into Lignus' cheek.
　He's slammed into the ground with considerable force and looks up at the man, holding his cheek.　

"Gah, w-what the?!"
"You're lucky it was me who hit you. If it had been him, he would have healed your wounds, but it wouldn't have made things any easier."
"Hyde-san..."
"Leave this to me... After all, it's an order from His Majesty."

　Your Majesty...?
　Hyde-san turned from me to Lignus and looked down at him with a sharp gaze.

"You even insulted my men, who risked their lives fighting on that battlefield. Above all, the knights of Lingle deserve respect. They were brave."
"Gu, ah... Don't mess with me, you think you're going to get away with this——"
"This is a warning from the King of Nirvarna. If you do any more foolish things to dishonor our warriors, you will be dealt with accordingly..."

　His words were grave and yet pressured, causing Lignus to run away.
　His back looks very small as he walks out alone, exposed to the gazes of the people around him.

"...Thank you for your help, Hyde-san."
"Don't worry about it. I was also watching quietly until halfway through. ...Hmm?"

　Suddenly, Hyde-san looked around.
　As expected, punching Lignus made us stand out, and it seemed that everyone was paying attention to us and him.
　Seeing that look, he laughed as if to say, "Damn it!"

"Humph, looks like I've gone too far!"
"No, seriously, what have you done?! Chief Warrior!"

　Hyde-san's second-in-command, Helena, also emerges from the crowd.
　As usual, she seems to be swept up in his dynamic behavior.

"It's been a while, Helena-san."
"Ah, Usato-kun, it's been a while! But, Chief Warrior! Even if His Majesty has given his permission, it's not a good idea to use your fists here!"
"Hahaha, what should I do? Is this really bad for me?!"

　Hyde-san laughs cheerfully.
　I didn't think anything good would come of coming here, but I was happy to be reunited with him, who had helped me so much during the battle in Lukvis and against the Demon King's army.
　Then, Koga, who looked somewhat tired, spoke to me.

"I really thought you were going to hit him."
"No, I suppose so. But it's true that I was angry. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have used you as a weapon to hit him with a home run."
"No, that's scary. Why are you trying to treat me like a weapon?"

　Koga's face turned pale, as if he had taken it seriously, so I shrugged.

"Just kidding. Ogre joke."
"A joke that isn't funny isn't a joke, okay...? Also, that's not funny at all, so stop it."
"..."
"You're seriously hurt... No, I'm sorry."

　Feeling genuinely hurt, I checked the situation around me.
　Lignus was a terrible guy, but the reaction of the surroundings was... how should I put it, it was like an atmosphere of relief that the storm had passed. Koga was on guard, but since he hadn't given in to the provocation, it seemed like they were less wary than at first.
　Well, it would have ended well, except that instead the gaze directed at me turned into something like looking at a rare animal.
　...Mm.

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
Usato has improved his magic power circulation skills, allowing him to more smoothly unleash magic bursts, and is even able to unleash healing explosions without any motion.

When you combine it with dark magic, it makes for really incomprehensible movements to those watching from the sidelines (LOL).